Decision

An application to fell fell one conifer tree (unprotected tree in a Conservation Area) at 6 Barn Close, Castle Donington (ref. no. 25/01203/TCA) was submitted to the Council on 3 September 2025.
At the time the application was being considered by the Council, the ward member (Councillor Saffell) who is also the Planning Portfolio Holder, lives at the property, and he has declared an interest in the application. Cllr Saffell is not the applicant or agent for the application and does not own the property. He is not referenced on any of the application documents. He also has not submitted any comments to the Council in respect of the application. The application form was ticked to say that the applicant is not related to an elected member or a member of staff.
No objections or comments have been received from members of the public. Castle Donington Parish Council's comments on the application say 'no comments'. The case officer is the Council's Tree Officer.
Decisions on applications for works to unprotected trees in a conservation area are delegated to officers under the Constitution.
Applications that are recommended for approval and which have been submitted by a serving member of the Council or the close relative of a serving member are reserved for Planning Committee except for the approval of an application which in the opinion of the relevant Strategic Director (or a nominated officer) is unlikely to have any major impacts and to which no material planning objections have been received.
Given the above circumstances it is considered that the application can be dealt with by officers under delegated powers.

Reasons for the decision

The ward member has declared an interest in the application on the basis that they live at the property.

Alternative options considered

The Local Planning Authority can deal with this application in three ways:
- make a Tree Preservation Order if it is justified in the interests of amenity
- decide not to make a Tree Preservation Order and allow the 6 week period to expire, at which point the proposed work may go ahead as long as it is carried out within two years from the date of the notice, or
- decide not to make a Tree Preservation order and inform the applicant that the work can go ahead.